What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Opening Another Advent Window (Updated)

This is a rerun of a post from a couple of years ago.  I must say that I still love to read from the devotional book "Jesus Calling" every morning, along with its companion "Jesus Today", also by Sarah Young.  I received that book from my sister as a Christmas gift that same year.  It is amazing to me to see how these little books have an appropriate message just for me every day...and then they lead me to passages in the Bible that further show me God's message for the day. This is a marvelous way to to start each day all year long, not just during the Advent season!



The original post written on 12/2/13 begins here:

If you recall reading about my "Jesus Calling Experience"  a couple of weeks ago, you will recall that I had finally responded to the "call" of Jesus to pick up the little devotional book, "Jesus Calling",  written by Sarah Young that I found in my church library...and then a dear friend said that she wanted me to have my own copy as a gift.

Well, today was the day.


Have you ever felt overwhelmed with humility upon receiving a gift from someone when you felt like you should be the one giving a gift instead?
That's how I felt.

This is my Open Advent Window for today.
As we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child, the Babe in the Manger,
remember that He is the Divine Gift to us, we who are so unworthy. 
But He came down to earth for us,
to rescue us from our sins,
and to save us for all eternity
to live with Him forever.

What does He ask from us?
Nothing really...except that we love Him
with all our hearts.

Here's a little song I remember hearing and singing at Christmas time:

In the Bleak Midwinter (click on title for link to song by Gloucester Cathedral Choir)

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Christina Rossetti (written 1872, published posthumously in 1904)
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"In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart."

Thank you to my friend today for the wonderful gift of "Jesus Calling".  This gift is helping me to prepare my heart for Christmas.
How about you?
Is your heart ready for Christmas?
Could Jesus be "calling" you?


8 comments:

  1. I have heard great things about that book "Jesus Calling", how lovely your friend gave you your very own copy. That poem is a favorite of mine.

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    1. Terra, "Jesus Calling" is a wonderful daily devotional book that is written from the perspective of Jesus actually speaking to you, the reader, from the Scriptures and the inspirational writings of Sarah Young. I highly recommend it to you...it would make a great Christmas gift to yourself! Also a good gift to give to others. I'm glad you liked the poem...it is one of my old favorites as well. Be blessed and have a wonderful day.

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  2. Love the song! It's a blessings to have thoughtful friends.

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    1. Yes it is...God knows just what (and WHO) we need...and when.
      I am glad you loved the song too...sorry I didn't post a musical version...but maybe this will inspire others to look it up and sing along. Have a blessed Advent season!!!

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  3. I missed the first post- will have to check that out. Sara's book is a blessing to many, including me! I am so glad you received such a blessing since you deserve it! Hugs. BTW RJD is Friday! ;)

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    1. Oh wow! I have to start digging in my old journals again. Thanks for the warning. Hope you are doing ok. You are such an encouragement to all of us out here in blogland. Have a blessed advent season.

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  4. Pam, I too have found "Jesus Calling" to be a blessing--many days speaking directly into my situation. It was a gift last Christmas from special friends. Hopefully, in the year ahead, I'll read "Jesus Today".

    Blessings,

    Kim

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    1. I do hope you can get a copy of "Jesus Today". I actually like it a little better than the other. Maybe it speaks more clearly to me. But they are both wonderful books and definitely a blessing each day. May you draw closer to the Lord each day in the New Year as you read from His Word in whatever way He directs. Blessings my friend!

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